Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation of Unsaturated Ketones and Imides via Ammonium Formate

Abstract

Ammonium formate in acetic acid in presence of Pd-C catalyst efficiently converts open chain α,β-unsaturated ketones and cyclic enones to their saturated ketone analogues. The system converts enimides to saturated imides. An unsaturated non-conjugated cyclic dienone was also reduced by this system.